Motorbike riders require safety reminders

Readers write about road safety, Donald Trump, school field trips and sel-service petrol

A reader says motorbike riders should have regular safety lessons. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

UAE safety experts call for stricter policing of motorcyclists (March 6) is a timely article.

I have noticed an increase in number of people violating safety rules, including but not limited to the non-use of helmets and poor maintenance of the vehicles.

I have seen delivery men riding without any respect for their own their safety let alone that of other road users. They often tailgate at high speed.

The authorities should contact the companies that employ motorcycle riders to ensure that these people get regular road-safety briefings.

Road safety should remain a priority for everyone.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Heat prohibits self-service

The hot weather is the main reason not to take-up the self-service option at petrol stations (How to pump your own petrol in Abu Dhabi, in practice, March 3).

The temperature sometimes reaches 55 degrees, or even higher, in summer.

Just think: you are a white-collar worker on your way to work and you need to get out of your car to pump petrol.

This could take up to seven minutes. In such unbearable heat, you will definitely get sweaty and all your efforts to be neat and clean for work would be wasted.

Amir Maqsood, Abu Dhabi

What’s with the hue and cry about pumping petrol?

If it's a matter of concern, you can always switch to a petrol station that has full service. Or if you don't know what to do, you can seek assistance.

It’s about time that we put the onus of doing things on ourselves rather than depend on somebody ese. We need to be realistic.

Mathhew Litty, Dubai

The proposed payment option is silly, requiring another piece of plastic to go in the wallet.

Why would I need to register with a petrol station, providing all kinds of personal data? W Matthes, Dubai

It is true that pumping petrol is a normal occurrence in other places, but I’ve never enjoyed it.

Full service at petrol stations is something that I’ve counted as a blessing.

I often feel bad about the men who have to work out in the summer heat, but now I find myself concerned that so many of them may soon be without jobs.

Michelle Eways, Abu Dhabi

Trump reflects voters’ thoughts

I'm very sad to say this, but if Donald Trump wins the presidential election, it's what the United States deserves (Why Trump is the thorn in the establishment's side, March 6).

If the American people vote for him, it’s not his fault, it’s the voters’. Surely his team researched the people’s weaknesses and then fed them.

This new injection of racism, vulgarity, arrogance and misogyny in the US will mark the beginning of a seriously dark period for the world.

I only hope that this is a bad nightmare.

Luca Cima, Sharjah

Field trip ban hurts children

I refer to New rules force Abu Dhabi schools to cancel field trips 'until further notice' (March 4).

One of the reasons we moved to the UAE was for the rich cultural experience. I am raising a global citizen and in order to do this, my son needs experiences that foster that growth.

There is so much for a child to learn in this part of the world. I want to able to take these experiences home with us or be able to share them with the world via social media.

These new rules are not good for the expatriate children.

Gina Dillon, Abu Dhabi

Would you like a book with that?

This letter is in regard to Cafe library opens in Sharjah to mark World Book Day (The National, March 4).

Maktaba is a wonderful initiative and one that is long overdue.

To instil a culture of reading among the youth, books should actually be accessible. However, public libraries are scarce and buying from book stores is expensive.

These factors can make it so that even if people want to read, they cannot afford to do so as often as they would like.

Maktaba is a step towards remedying that. I look forward to seeing more branches.

Naila Tariq, Sharjah